Collecting the award: (L-R) John Wright (HCC Planning), Jonathan Douglas-Green, Steve Birnie (both Mott MacDonald), Simon Mounce and John Craig (HCC Planning).

Humber Frontage Flood Defence receives prestigious award

One of Hull City Council’s flood alleviation schemes has been recognised with a prestigious national award.

The Humber Frontages Flood Defence scheme won the national Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Excellence in Planning award. 

The £42m investment features a seven-kilometre tidal flood defence protecting circa 113,000 properties up until at least 2040, with the potential to provide further protection until 2115.

The Humber Frontages Flood Defence was delivered quickly in response to an unprecedented tidal surge in 2013 which left parts of the city submerged.

The award recognises the great work on the design of the defence where residents, businesses, the EA and the council worked in partnership to design a scheme that responded to the Conservation Area at the Fruit Market whilst also retaining views into the Humber Estuary. 

The Humber Frontages Flood Defence was central to then enabling the successful regeneration of the Fruit Market.

The Humber Frontage Flood Defence at Victoria Pier.

Cllr Jack Haines, the council’s portfolio holder for climate change and flood management, said: “This is a fantastic result for the city which demonstrates the commitment to deal with the ongoing risk that the Humber estuary poses to Hull.

“The improvements provide a great platform to continue to attract new investment into the city and, of course, ensuring existing residents and businesses are safeguarded from the potentially devastating effects of flooding from the estuary.

“This is of course more prevalent with the ongoing battles against climate change, something which is very much at the forefront of the council’s mind.

“It is pleasing that the tremendous efforts of so many people have been recognised by a prestigious organisation such as the RTPI.”

A road in England at night with traffic cones and signage for roadworks
Pam Kelsey being awarded the Adult Unpaid Carer award.